Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Al Mozingo on January 28, 2011 at 1:53pm

RESPECT IS THE BEGINING:

THEN WE NEED TO

COMMUNICATE TRUST


By Al Mozingo

1. Always show respect toward your people.
2. Always show that you care for your people.
3. When communicating, strive for understanding.
4. Be a good listener when interacting with your people.
5. Try to help your people whenever possible.
6. Be impartial, unbiased, and non-judgmental.
7. Try to be as honest as possible.
8. Be tactful in your conversations.
9. Show consideration towards others.
10. Be open, receptive and flexible in your thinking.
11. Exhibit a positive attitude.
12. Be kind and courteous towards others.

The above can be summed up in the Golden Rule. “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” The leader must always strive towards this and must communicate with trust. Remember this trust between a leader and a follower beings with showing respect to one another. The leader must utilize all the skills he/she has to facilitate rapport, cooperation, understanding, and good interpersonal relationships. The organization, after all, runs because of the people.

Permalink Reply by Firewriter on January 28, 2011 at 2:39pm

The most important part of earning respect is keeping it. Work hard to earn it; work harder to keep it.

Permalink Reply by Bob Allard on January 28, 2011 at 3:12pm

Yes, I agree both ways as I have seen an Officer use his authority more then he really should , it was like he was walking on walter and made sure they knew, I don't think that is a good idea. Sometimes that turns off new recurits, I try from the start to remember how I was and treat them this way.

Permalink Reply by David Earl Gregory on January 28, 2011 at 4:10pm

An Assistant Chief I had as a rising firefighter and into the officer ranks once told me, "Rank is something you wear, respect ya gotta earn." Truer words were never spoken. If your officer(s) treat and behave towards you as I did towards my men, they will take whatever heat comes down the line and deal with it. A good officer backs up his men, and they in turn will back up their officer. I had a Lt. once that was famous for sticking his gold badge in your face and strutting his authority. He didn't last long. I had a Chief once that that used to speak to us in third person as in, "Chief wants you to do this or that and Chief thinks this would be better, etc." He garnered no respect at all. Treat folks as adults and they'll behave as adults. Threat them like children and you may as well go ahead and hand out the crayons and coloring books.

Permalink Reply by Al Mozingo on January 28, 2011 at 4:16pm

The use of authority - we can say - Those who have the gold make the rules.

But, when someone breaks a rule - What happens?

Discipline - I learned many years ago (about 40 years ago) from an instructor: Discipline is an education in conduct. That was so important to me - an ahha moment, I memorized it. It's the only thing I really remember from the class except; Using Positive Motivation is better than using negative motivation.

One last thought - Use only the amount of dicipline to change the behavior!

Permalink Reply by Mario Campos on January 28, 2011 at 4:34pm

Respect - sometimes this depends on the organization you work for and how the culture has defined what respect is. So, if someone has been worked for an organization were mediocrity has been defined as excellent, or people have been dishonest about there preparation, have had a paper whipping culture. Now the culture expects you to ingnore these inproprieties and as you climb up the promotional ladder and you contiue your ingnorance because the culture is driving the leadership. This is a corrupt organization were management fears redicule more then setting the standard for an expected performance. The fire service to this day has closed organizations and only allow certain aspects to be known because they are well aware of what could happen if the truth was exposed. Not to long ago one of these organizations was in the lime light. If you recall the members respected thier leader. In some parts of our nation comparing some fire service organizations is like comparing apples to oranges. In some organizations the leaders walk on egg shells because thier well aware of who's in control..

Permalink Reply by Chris Weber on January 30, 2011 at 12:00pm

Great advice!

Permalink Reply by Chris Weber on January 30, 2011 at 12:08pm

Respect is definitely a two way street.Never try to BS somebody.They will be able to see right through it and it will be obvious to everybody.
Had a chief one time who did not come up through the ranks but was elected into the job.His philosophy was it's my way or the highway.It's one thing if you've been doing this job a while and know the ins and outs of whats going on and then try to set policy but it's a whole other ballgame when its done just because somebody thinks they can BS enough people into thinking thats the way it should be done.And its dangerous.There was some other stuff going on too with this individual that really hurt the FD as a whole in the community and it has taken us years to get back to where we were respect wise years ago.

Permalink Reply by Chris Weber on January 30, 2011 at 12:09pm

Al,I strive to do these things every time I do something.Not doing one or more of these things can really have a negative impact on an organization.

Permalink Reply by Ringold15 on March 2, 2011 at 3:49pm

 we have the same issue around here were i mite give a suggestion and the reply i get is dont you question me. im glad someone has had the same issue

Permalink Reply by Al Mozingo on March 2, 2011 at 4:02pm

Good - Keep up the good work.

Most leaders have never had specific leadership training.

Therefore, they are flying by the seat of their pants.

They are operating in a trial and error mode.

Al